Steenberg Spa
The ultimate urban oases.
When life in the city gets too fast and noisy, it’s good to know you can escape into a calming, soothing parallel universe for an hour or two. The best spas in the Mother City will welcome you into a cocoon of pampering and nurturing, whether you’re in need of a massage, facial, mani-pedi, hydrotherapy or the full top-to-toe treatment. We’ve picked out the sanctuaries that combine top-of-the-beauty-class therapies and products with sublime settings that look and feel as good as you will when you step outside afterwards.
Find other blissful sanctuaries near you:
Librisa Spa at Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel
A veritable oasis at the foot of Table Mountain, this historic hotel is a vision. Drive through the grand gate towards the iconic dusty-pink building and, hidden beyond the palm trees, you’ll find the Librisa Spa – three Victorian houses converted into a luxury haven where the outside world becomes irrelevant. On arrival, herbal teas and snacks are offered in the tranquil conservatory filled with greenery and exotic orchids. The menu caters for all needs, including offerings specially for couples, teens and gentlemen, beauty treatments (Esse and Biologique Recherche) and a yoga-and-spa combo.
Lay of the land There are eight spacious and beautifully decorated treatment rooms, including two for couples; plus a steam bath, Finnish sauna and plunge pool. Manicures and pedicures take place upstairs on oversized, extra-comfy chairs.
There’s more Parents of tots (4 – 12 years) can drop them off at the kids’ club (weekends only for no extra charge) while you’re pampered in the lap of luxury next door. Afterwards, continue the treat with the famous afternoon tea at this legendary hotel.
Recommended treatment The Mount Nelson Rose, a full-body massage inspired by the magnificent gardens, with hand-crafted herbal poultices using local pickings and the hotel’s signature rose petal and geranium massage oil, for deep relaxation, muscle recovery, lymphatic flow and nourished skin.
Cost R1 900 for 90 minutes
Spa menu
Opening times Daily, 9am – 7pm
Contact 021 483 1550, librisa.mnh@belmond.com
Where to find it 76 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town
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One&Only Spa
On the edge of the marina at the buzzing V&A Waterfront, this glamorous resort raises the bar with its designer dining, luxe accommodation and one-of-a-kind facilities. The spa is on a private island, creating one of the most atmospheric, exclusive wellness experiences in town. Every tiny detail has been considered – from the plush robes and slippers to the hair-straighteners. All spa guests can help themselves to healthy snacks and indulgent sweet treats, as well as juices, teas and bubbly. The menu covers all the options, including top-notch skincare (ESPA and Biologique Recherche), spa ritual experiences and teen treatments.
Lay of the land There are 12 spacious treatment rooms, including two couple’s suites, his-and-hers thermal suites (aroma-steam rooms, saunas and bubble-jet vitality pools), ice fountains and experience showers, two Studio-O beauty-salon rooms, and indoor and outdoor relaxation areas – all cocooned within an ultra-stylish space surrounded by lush vegetation and water.
There’s more Unique to O&O is Nature’s Resonance therapy, combining sound, vibrations and massage for revitalising mind, body and soul. Or enjoy the most decadent of mani-pedi treatments at the world-famous Studio Bastien Gonzalez.
Recommended treatment The specially created African Journey is an ultra-relaxing full-body treatment that includes a rooibos-and-rock-salt scrub, and a flowing massage using rungu sticks and baobab-and-sweet-orange oil, ending with a rooibos tea ceremony.
Cost R2 300 for 90 minutes
Spa menu
Opening times Daily, 8am – 8pm
Contact 021 431 5810, spa.reservations@oneandonlycapetown.com
Where to find it Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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Fresh Wellness Spa at The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel
At this “grande dame” hotel deep in the Constantia Valley, nestled in award-winning gardens, a footpath around the side of the main building and past the rose garden leads to the gorgeous spa. A cocoon of wonderful sensorial therapies, decked out in chandeliers and beautiful wallpaper, it’s a delightful pampering retreat. Only the best and most authentic products and elements are used, such as pure vine oil from Stellenbosch and proper volcanic stones.
Lay of the land There are six spacious treatment rooms and a private steam room. The hotel’s heated-pool area in the beautiful gardens is open to spa patrons to relax afterwards with a drink or light meal.
There’s more Hi-tech QMS facials, microneedling and dermaplaning are available. The Gathering package offers a fabulous spa experience for a group of four or more people, or extend your pampering by booking for the luxe high tea.
Recommended treatment The Five Senses Massage uses unique pressure-point massage techniques, hot stones, cold bamboo sticks and other elements to awaken all five senses. This can be booked as a couple’s session, including a rasul treatment, bubbly and chocolates.
Cost R1 350 per person for 90 minutes
Couples: R3 500 for 2.5 hours
Spa menu
Opening times Winter: Monday – Saturday, 9am – 6pm; Sunday, 9am – 2pm
Summer: Monday – Saturday, 8am – 7pm; Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Contact 021 794 2785, spa@freshwellness.co.za
Where to find it 93 Brommersvlei Road, Constantia, Cape Town
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J Wellness Circle at Taj Cape Town
The Taj hotel is a city-centre landmark, a heritage building given new, stylish life. Tucked away on the first floor is this warm and graceful spa with its Eastern-infused interiors and gentle, holistic, age-old Ayurvedic philosophy. The therapists truly personify the adage atithi devo bhava, meaning “the guest is god”, with their splendid all-round treatments drawing on ancient Indian culture and healing wisdom, including cupping, head massage for healthy hair growth and even eye therapy.
Lay of the land There are four individual massage suites, a double suite with a bathtub and private hammam, and another spacious couple’s suite. There is also a heated indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna and hammam.
There’s more Integral to the experience is a footbath at the start and a prayer-beads garland farewell gift. Ayurvedic health consultations are also available, and everything in the spa is 100% natural – from the products to the textiles.
Recommended treatment The uplifting Cape Fynbos Ritual starts with a clay, sea salt and rooibos scrub and body wrap, followed by a luxurious rooibos and honeybush bath, and finally a massage using signature marula and fynbos oil (with a cup of tea to match).
Cost R1 800 for 2 hours
Spa menu
Opening times Daily, 8am – 8pm
Contact 021 819 2028, jwellnesscircle.capetown@tajhotels.com
Where to find it 1 Wale Street, corner of St Georges Mall, Cape Town
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Steenberg Spa
Located in the Constantia Winelands on historic Steenberg Estate, this spa offers a blissful retreat surrounded by vineyards and mountain views. The space has emerged all spruced up from a recent makeover, with new reception and waiting areas, and a retail section stocking designer clothing, jewellery and home spa products. The spa menu covers all the classic treatments, using organic Ila products, hi-tech QMS facials and Margaret Dabbs London manis, pedis and leg therapies. There are celebration and special group packages (including lunch) and a tweens’ and teens’ offering too.
Lay of the land The intimate spa has four treatment rooms and a couple’s room. A pathway leads to the Secret Garden and Scented Garden treatment areas, under towering trees and beside flower beds, which bring in the sounds, smells and sights of nature (ideal for a couple’s massage that ends with a glass of cap classique beside the pool).
There’s more The Pool House is a gorgeously tranquil space, where you can dip in the pool or sunbathe on a recliner, surrounded by birdsong and the sound of trickling water. A mobile bar offers cocktails from Tryn, and this is also the space where those high-end manis and pedis are done. (Access to this area requires a spa spend of at least R2 000.)
Recommended treatment Soulful Decadence is a wonderfully luxurious combination of an energising herbal-oil massage and bespoke facial, ending with a scalp ritual and foot massage.
Cost R2 950 for two hours
Spa menu
Opening times Daily, 8am – 6pm
Contact 021 712 7481, spa@steenberghotel.com
Where to find it Steenberg Road, Tokai, Cape Town
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The Alphen Spa
This beloved boutique hotel in the Constantia Valley, set in 11 hectares of lush gardens and urban forest greenbelt, includes a small spa in its bounty of attractive offerings. It’s a serene, neutral-toned and classy space that focuses on facials, massage therapies and grooming. The Elemental Herbology range, inspired by nature’s five elements, is used in a variety of offerings; other brands include Babor and QMS.
Lay of the land There are just two treatment rooms, with a heated pool and garden area where outdoor massages can be done. Some treatments include lunch at the hotel’s terrace restaurant.
Recommended treatment The Earth Vitality facial is a brightening treatment (other options include a Fire Purity facial for deep-cleansing and a Metal Longevity facial for anti-ageing). The In-Your-Element aromatherapy massage is a bespoke treatment with your preferred mixture of oils and fragrances.
Cost Facial: R1 150 for 60 minutes
Massage: R950 for 60 minutes, R1 250 for 90 minutes
Spa menu
Opening times Daily, 9am – 6pm
Contact 021 795 6300, spa@alphen.co.za
Where to find it Alphen Drive, Constantia, Cape Town
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The Marly Spa
This designer spa in Camps Bay, at the hotel of the same name, has a refreshingly different aesthetic – reminiscent of a luxury French boutique – but is just as tranquillity-inducing as any other on this list. Combine that with the easy-breezy, glam vibe of its location on the seafront, and you’ve got something special. Very much an innovative beauty specialist, top-notch brands used in treatments include QMS, Babor and LING New York.
Lay of the land Leading from the plush, gilded, marbled reception area are four stylish ensuite treatment rooms and separate areas with luxe, white-leather armchairs for instant-lift facial and hand-and-foot treatments.
There’s more Just outside is the hotel’s Baptiste Rooftop bar and lounge, a fabulous place to linger a little longer.
Recommended treatment The super-relaxing Himalayan Hot Salt Stone Massage features smooth, heated, pink salt-crystal stones packed with over 80 trace minerals to nourish and detox your body.
Cost R1 250 for 60 minutes, R1 350 for 90 minutes
Spa menu
Opening times Daily, 9am – 6pm
Contact 021 437 1279, spa@themarly.co.za
Where to find it The Promenade, 201 Victoria Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town
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The Twelve Apostles Spa
Known for its spectacular ocean views and mountain-slope setting, this chic five-star hotel on the Atlantic Seaboard is the ideal destination for overall stress-releasing. The spa, designed to suggest a white-crystal grotto, gives the feeling of being underwater, with dimmed lighting and calming blue hues floating up from the downstairs pools, offering an immediate sense of escape. The menu covers a wide range of treatments, including hydrotherapy and beauty rituals from Elemis (Biotec) and Tata Harper.
Lay of the land Spread over two floors are seven treatment rooms (two for couples) with heated beds, a rasul chamber and rainshower, two plunge pools (warm and cold) and a saltwater flotation pool, plus a nail salon, Health Bar buffet and Tranquillity Lounge where guests can help themselves post-treatment to refreshments and the Spa Buffet.
There’s more Two magical thatched gazebos offer outdoor treatments with incredible views. Stay longer to partake of the exquisite dining options, including high tea and a sushi bar; also look out for special spa packages and offers that include breakfast or lunch.
Recommended treatment The Apostles Touch combines essential oils, fynbos, heated stones and sea shells for a deeply relaxing experience, combining a body scrub, full-body massage, head and foot massage.
Cost R2 950 for 105 minutes
Spa menu
Opening times Daily, 8am – 6pm
Contact 021 437 9060, thespa@12apostles.co.za
Where to find it Victoria Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town
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Amani Spa & Wellness at Radisson Blue
This hotel on the ocean’s edge, with views over Table Bay, is a glorious place to take time out. Its sleek, urban-chic unisex spa offers a range of pampering treatments and bespoke formulations. The spa journeys include a welcome drink and spa breakfast or lunch, plus there are treatments for children and teens – and cosmetic services such as teeth whitening, lash tint-and-curl and spray tan.
Lay of the land There are nine treatment rooms, two VIP couple’s suites with a hydrobath, a rasul chamber and saunas, plus a barber, hair salon and nail bar. The relaxation deck has loungers and a heated vitality pool, and there’s a juice bar.
There’s more The unique Salt Room harnesses the benefits of salt to treat a variety of ailments of the respiratory and digestive system, skin conditions and fatigue, and strengthen the immune system for adults and kids. A pressure-point massage can be added to the 45-minute session.
Recommended treatment The Mindful Massage combines gentle yoga moves, breathing and meditation with an aromatherapy massage to release tension and improve circulation.
Cost R1 100 for 60 minutes
Spa menu
Opening times Daily, 8am – 8pm
Contact 021 441 3332, capetown@amanispas.co.za
Where to find it Beach Road, Granger Bay, Cape Town
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Sanctuary Spa Waterfront
Nestled in between the Queen Victoria Hotel and Dock House on Portswood Ridge overlooking the bustling harbour precinct, this little hidden spa lives up to its name. It offers a variety of bespoke treatments drawn from around the world to melt away everyday stresses, including QMS anti-ageing skincare.
Lay of the land Housed in a building that was once part of the harbour master’s private residence, there are three elegant treatment rooms (candle-lit for couple’s sessions), a Turkish sauna, and a terrace and garden area under swaying palms beside a sparkling pool.
There’s more You can order a fruit or birthday pastry platter at Dash in the adjacent Queen Victoria Hotel, and in winter a hot chocolate to enjoy by the fire. Couples’ specials can include a picnic treat basket and/or bubbly.
Recommended treatment Designed for deep relaxation, the Mama Africa Experience starts with a full-body exfoliation, followed by the application of warm body clay and steam-heated compressors to ease muscle tension. Time in the sauna provides more blissful time out before a soothing 90-minute massage using fynbos oils and hot lava shells.
Cost R2 500 for 2.5 hours
Spa menu
Opening times Daily, 8am – 8pm
Contact 021 425 2080, victoria@sanctuaryspas.co.za
Where to find it Portswood Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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Which are your favourites? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
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